At the beginning of the 21st century, as businesses prepared for Y2K, companies were implementing a new computer system which was Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). The company where you work wants to implement an ERP system, however, part of management wants to implement it using the big-bang approach and the other part of management wants to use the phased-in approach. Evaluate the benefits and risk using both approaches.

Individual Portion:

• ERP implementations are at risk to extensive cost overruns. Discuss three of the more commonly experienced problems area.
• Describe four advantages and four disadvantages of implementing an ERP system at a multinational corporation.
• Why might a firm decide to implement only certain modules in an ERP system rather than a complete implementation?

Please add your file.

Group Portion:

ERP brings together all the functions of a company using one software program. When the big-bang approach is used, this is when the old system is shut down and the new ERP system is up and running, like going cold turkey. The phased-in approach is when only parts of the ERP system is implemented and when that part is up and running then the next part will be phased in.

As a group, complete the following:

• After the core of an ERP system has been implemented, any of the modules may then be implemented separately. What is the implication of being able to implement an ERP system on a piece-by-piece basis?
• Describe how an enterprise system can assist an organization in optimizing its value system.
• Consider a business process that you have experienced at work, as a customer, or as a student. Examples might include any process in a work setting such as payroll and purchasing, or any process with which you have interacted, such as ordering from a Web site, obtaining a loan, eating at a restaurant, or registering for classes at your college or university. Describe the degree to which the steps in the process are integrated. What is/was the impact of that integration on you and on the organization?